The Collected Works of Spinoza, Volume II: Volume II

The second and final volume of the most authoritative English-language edition of Spinoza''s writings

The Collected Works of Spinoza provides, for the first time in English, a truly satisfactory edition of all of Spinoza''s writings, with accurate and readable translations, based on the best critical editions of the original-language texts, done by a scholar who has published extensively on the philosopher''s work.

The centerpiece of this second volume is Spinoza''s Theological-Political Treatise, a landmark work in the history of biblical scholarship, the first argument for democracy by a major philosopher, and a forceful defense of freedom of thought and expression. This work is accompanied by Spinoza''s later correspondence, much of which responds to criticism of the Theological-Political Treatise. The volume also includes his last work, the unfinished Political Treatise, which builds on the foundations of the Theological-Political Treatise to offer plans for the organization of nontyrannical monarchies and aristocracies.

The elaborate editorial apparatus-including prefaces, notes, glossary, and indexes-assists the reader in understanding one of the world''s most fascinating, but also most difficult, philosophers. Of particular interest is the glossary-index, which provides extensive commentary on Spinoza''s technical vocabulary.

A milestone of scholarship more than forty-five years in the making, The Collected Works of Spinoza is an essential edition for anyone with a serious interest in Spinoza or the history of philosophy.